Answer: I love this question because I’m all about good deals and fun things to try to reduce pain! Let’s talk through a couple common devices or things people ask about in the clinic!
SHOES: If you are suspecting that your shoes are altering your pain, then this is a hard YES, it is worth it to invest in different shoes. I recommend that people go to stores that have a forgiving return policy so that you can try different brands and shoe types that work for you. The feet are the foundation of your body when you stand and walk. It is worth it to play and experiment with how different shoes affect your body.
PILLOWS: If you are struggling with neck or upper back pain, then MAYBE you should look into a new pillow. You have to consider a few things, though. First, do you have neck pain at night and in the morning? If you answer yes, then maybe your neck pain is affected by your pillow. If you notice that your neck pain is fine in the morning and increases throughout the day, your pillow might not be a major contributor to your problem. In this case, it might be how you sit or stand during the day or something else.
MATTRESSES: Like pillows, this is a MAYBE. Consider when you are experiencing neck, shoulder, and low back pain. Is it at night or in the morning? Your mattress could be affecting it. Before buying a new mattress, I sometimes recommend looking into a mattress topper, first! Save yourself some money that way! You could also consider adding or removing a box spring. Mattresses are a hard hit to the wallet, so definitely consider alternatives first if you can!
POSTURE BRACES and BUZZERS: This is a MAYBE as well. If you struggle with your posture and feel that it is affecting your pain significantly, then this may be something to look into. I usually tell clients to use these things for periods of time only rather than all day. If you have a posture brace on all day, this could start to hurt. Think about what you would like, too. Would you want something physically pushing your shoulders back like a brace or would you want a little reminder like a buzzer that cues you to sit up straighter?
DESKS and CHAIRS: This is a 100% YES. It is worth it to change your desk and chair set up when you think you need to. If you’ve worked with me, you know I tell everyone to get a sit to stand desk. Electronic, despite being more expensive, is preferred. People tend to not use the sit to stand feature as much when they have to crank the desk up. Trust me, no matter what you tell yourself, you’re not going to use it as much with a crank. Like your desk, your chair will significantly alter your body’s positioning throughout the day. You need a good chair with low back support, arm rests, and the ability to adjust. Unfortunately, these objects are pricey! There are devices you can put on a non-sit to stand desk that raise your computer. That is good, too! Talk to your HR department or employer if you are more curious about what your job offers.
FOAM ROLLERS: This is a MAYBE. I always ask people first how often they go to their gym and if their gym has a foam roller. Would you really use it that much more if you bought it for yourself at home and your gym has one? Try a foam roller at your physical therapy appointment. How do you feel after? Do you like it?
MASSAGE or “THERA” GUNS: This is a MAYBE also! Massage guns are gaining a lot of popularity recently! They are pretty cool, but really expensive sometimes. Like the foam roller, could you try one first before investing in one? These “guns” have a vibration component to them. Try tapping the body part that hurts over and over again. Do you like that sensation? If not, this might not be the device for you. We have these at Whole Body Health Physical Therapy if you want to try one. Consider that you might need to have a friend or partner use this on you (i.e. if your back hurts).
There are so many more devices, tools, and things out there that you could buy for your body. We only touched on a few here. Notice that I didn’t answer “NO” to any of them! If you have questions about something you are looking at buying, feel free to email us!